Crowded and Rotated Teeth - Philadelphia, PA

Currently, I'm waiting for my treatment plan....

Currently, I'm waiting for my treatment plan. Anxiously waiting to see that email, which should be by the end of this week.

I had plans to write a review each step of the way, but it slipped my mind. So, instead I'll just give an abridged version.

I was very skeptical. After doing my research and looking at reviews here. I decided "why not?".

Took the initial assessment, no issues there. I received my email prompting me to do the photo assessment. I'm impatient and took the photos myself. The directions were easy to follow, and contorting my lips and the like to get the pictures drew way more attention to my chompers than I'm used to.

The pictures were approved without incident.

Next came the impression kit. I was surprised how fast it arrived, and did my impressions almost immediately after I received the package.

The tray was a little large for me. I feel at least. The back part rubbed on my gum line and made a sore spot back towards my molars. I thought I had messed up the trays, even after reading and re reading the instructions. I sent them in and waited not so patiently.

The trays were then approved on 06/16/16. Much to my surprise. I had to inquire about it as I never received an email telling me so. The support chat was friendly and effective at least.

I also saw here that they stopped sending starter kits. I inquired and that is in fact true. It now is just being sent your treatment plan and going from there.

So, that's that. Overall I'm happy and excited. I have a feeling I'll need IPR... but only the treatment plan will know for sure. Hopefully I'll be able to make updates with the process... when I remember.

(Upside down pictures... sorry. Mobile doesn't make it easy to fix this on the site.)

Treatment Plan!

29 Jun 2016

1 day pre

The same day I wrote the review, I received my email with my treatment plan in the evening. So happy!

I forgot I applied a discount so it looks like I'll be paying 1400 for the whole process. I'm doing the Smile Pay option for now... and will see if my dental insurance will reimburse a part of the cost.

I'll be doing the Smile 20 process... 40 aligners (20 top and 20 bottom) 2 weeks of wear per aligner set. The estimated time will be 10 months. The best part, no IPR! Hooray!

Honestly, I'm shocked. I thought I'd need to do a lot of work on my teeth before getting aligners on. I'll update once I have my first set!

They're Here! Tray 1!

28 Jul 2016

28 days post

They've actually been here.

My aligners arrived on Monday 07/25/2016. I was so excited to pop them in after I got home from work to see them sitting there.

What a mistake! I took advil before doing so, anticipating some pain... but my goodness. About two hours in and I was miserable. I understand now when they say to place a new aligner set in at night.

It's been 4 days now with less pain as the days pass, and I'm supposed to only wear each set for 2 weeks. I've not yet received a call from SDC to verify anything about fit (which is perfect), but I'll probably pester later today.

I did need to file my edges and use copious amounts of dental wax, but it has worked to alleviate the discomfort.

Will continue to update as I cycle through aligners.

Tray 2 and 3

28 Aug 2016

2 months post

I realize I'm bad at keeping up with these reviews.

Tray 2 was not terrible at all. I remembered to put the new trays in before bed, took an advil and this eliminated most of the initial discomfort. Tray 2 needed to be filed a ridiculous amount on the edges, as well as a good amount of dental wax.

On to tray 3. This tray fits the tightest of them yet, but has been the most comfortable. It doesn't need filing or dental wax, which is a nice break for my mouth.

I've been comparing my pictures from the initial assessment to now and I'm already starting to see teeth shift. Namely my upper and lower front teeth.

Eating is weird simply because my teeth now line up slightly different, but really isn't making for any unpleasant experiences.

I also may be a bad patient and do drink cold teas and coffees as well as beer. I've noted no staining... and it doesn't feel like it's altering the fit of the aligners. The only difficulty I have is brushing my aligners. All the heads of my toothbrushes are too large and makes cleaning the tight and narrow/crowded places a little difficult.

My only gripe is, nobody from SDC has contacted me for follow up. I've even contacted them to make sure someone will call me. Nothing yet. Monday I'm going to have to pester them again. I've also updated my address with them as I recently moved and I'm keeping my fingers crossed they actually did it (and will also verify on Monday that they have the correct address).

The SDC online chat people are always friendly, but the fact that my care team has completely neglected to call me... 3 trays in... bothers me.

Seeing Changes!

16 Sep 2016

3 months post

I'm on the last few days of tray 4, but just wanted to provide a picture update. I'm surprised of how much of a difference there is in just 4 trays! The weeks are flying by! So far I'm loving this.

Tray 8!

1 Nov 2016

5 months post

It's been a while since my last update, but tray 8 is in, and this may be the easiest tray yet. They fit tightly, but aren't causing pain. This has been super easy.

Don't mind the picture, my teeth are in serious need of whitening (and I'm due for my cleaning too... eek.) You can definitely see the shift. It's also getting easier to eat as my teeth are adjusting to the new bite. I'm curious what my own dentist will make of this.

Midway at Tray 10!

2 Dec 2016

6 months post

Hooray! I've made it to the midpoint and holy wow... I can see teeth that were hidden for years amongst the crowding. I also submitted pictures for an update...

The bottom teeth are doing great. During the next half I'm seeing more drastic changes for the top teeth. I'm also feeling that too.

So far so good! Here's a blurry selfie of my teeth with aligner 10 of 20 on.